WHEN we heard a new escape room had opened in Taunton, we knew we had to get a team together to try it.
So, we did. We ventured to Reynard’s Adventures at Mansfield House on Silver Street in Taunton to give it a go.
When we got to Mansfield House, we were greeted by the man behind the adventure business, Richard Anderson, a true character befitting to the escape room we were set to do.
He helped to create the experience for us and is the driving force behind the business set to provide something very different for the people of Taunton. But more about that later.
The Escape Room
Okay, the escape room. I will try to set the scene. Forget the year 2022, forget Taunton, be ready to go back in time. For an adventure.
It’s 1947, you and your team are dropped off at an uncharted island in the East Indies where an ancient temple is threatened by a nearby volcano.
The task of the mission is to crack the puzzles and codes that the people who built the temple set, and find a golden idol before fleeing the island just before the volcano goes off.
It was tense, it was fun, it was difficult in parts but one thing is for sure, the attention to detail and quality of the experience was great.
It really felt like we were swept away from the county town of Somerset to some far away land and even though we knew we would be able to go back to our warm homes rather than be swallowed by lava, there was still a sense of urgency.
I don’t want to let in on any of the puzzles but some were simple, some required some thinking and most of them required team work. It was a good mix.
How did we do?
For those interested, our County Gazette team managed to escape the room in approximately 50 minutes, we feel it was a respectable effort.
I challenge you to try and beat our time and let us know if you do.
The room is designed for teams of 2-4 people. Surely someone out there can beat 50 minutes.
What did we think?
For some of us it was the first time we tried an escape room, and we may have caught the bug. Already planning another visit.
It would be fair to say we were sceptical going into it but afterwards we were pleasantly surprised.
As a group, we found it helped when we worked together and perhaps this is a good team building exercise.
Of course, it would also be a great day out for four friends, siblings, family or couples. It really does suit everyone.
More about Reynard’s Adventures
Reynard’s Adventures is a new business that aims to offer immersive adventures through a number of different mediums.
For now, that extends to this escape room but there are grand plans for what is to come.
The business is set to open a café, a nine-hole crazy golf course, more escape rooms, a murder mystery room and even a board game room where the people playing are the pieces!
In terms of timescale, Richard Anderson said it is not exact yet, but it is on its way.
“I don’t want to put a time scale on it as I am working mostly on my own and with family. But it will happen.
“My whole goal with this project is to provide the people of Taunton something unique, a place where they can come and get lost in the adventures and really have fun.”
You can find more information about Reynard’s Adventures here - https://www.reynardsadventures.com/
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